Waiting for confirmation
Manager Dave Trembley confirmed that he'll wait until tomorrow to announce his Opening Day starter. He needs to consult with pitching coach Rick Kranitz and bullpen coach Alan Dunn, who stayed back to watch Steve Trachsel throw in a simulated game. Trembley, meanwhile, will further evaluate Jeremy Guthrie today in Jupiter.
Trachsel faced Aubrey Huff, Jay Payton, Luke Scott and Omir Santos - "One of these things is not like the other. Which one is it? Do you know?" - in what is more accurately described as a simulated game instead of an intrasquad game, since Trachsel doesn't have fielders behind him and it isn't two full teams. It's a pitcher, batter and catcher.
Scott Moore still is upset that C.B. Bucknor ruled that he didn't check his swing last night, completing a 7-0 loss to the New York Mets. Moore had two hits off Johan Santana and was battling another left-hander, closer Billy Wagner. The at-bat meant a lot to him, and Bucknor ended it prematurely.
Trembley said he respects that Moore didn't go through the motions with two outs in the ninth inning and his team down by seven runs. Moore told him, "I didn't want to have that at-bat taken away from me."
Now there's a good way to impress your manager. As if Moore hasn't done enough already.
Reliever Fernando Cabrera, sidelined after having surgery to clean out his right elbow, is expected to spend the entire month of April at extended spring training. He's not close to returning. And Jim Hoey, bothered by a sore shoulder, won't be ready until early May.
Comments
This is what re-building is about...
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2008/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=3302059&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab7pos1
Go O's!
Posted by: JerryD(fan since '69) | March 21, 2008 12:26 PM
How do you not keep Moore at this point? You really want to keep Fahey or Gibbons who cannot hit off the bench and are both mediocre defensively. I'd take Moore in a heartbeat and has the attitude the Orioles need to start winning some games.
Posted by: spats | March 21, 2008 12:28 PM
I have to say that I am becoming more and more impressed with Scott Moore's attitude. We definitely need a guy like this on our team. A player who doesn't give away any at-bats is a player we need to keep. I cringed yesterday when I read that Trembley said Millar gives us one great at bat per game. I'd love to Millar get traded so that Moore gets a few more AB's.
Posted by: T-Mac | March 21, 2008 12:45 PM
Can someone recap Gibbon's spring todate for me? Is the bum still on our payroll? Has he hit anything?
Posted by: sway | March 21, 2008 12:46 PM
Well, I guess Moore could let umpire supervisor Richie Garcia know what he thinks of Bucknor. Wait a minute. Richie Garcia? Umpire supervisor Richie Garcia?
Straight out of “A Clockwork Orange.”
Posted by: Barry | March 21, 2008 12:57 PM
Thanks for the explanation of the sim. game Roch.
I've been hearing that term for years and never really knew just what it meant, or if I did know once a long time ago, it had fluttered away in my approaching senility.
Maybe some day I'll ask you to explain the rule 5 draft.
Posted by: Roy | March 21, 2008 1:02 PM
I understand players get hurt in baseball, but I wonder how we stand compared to the rest of the league. It seems like our young guys are always hurt.
Someone recently wrote that Ponson & Bedard crticized the training staff for not allowing them work out to their own routines. Maybe there is something too that??
Posted by: JWBBZ | March 21, 2008 1:11 PM
Hey Roch, do the minor leaguers in Sarasota participate in exhibition games versus minor league clubs from other organizations? If not, what do they do? An endless series of simulated games? And if they do play real exhibition games, why is no info available?
Also, I see Oscar Salazar listed on the Triple-A Norfolk roster. Did I miss his demotion?
Posted by: Baron | March 21, 2008 1:13 PM
Not only should Moore make the team, but he should be in the lineup 4-5 times a week. He exudes the ability, confidence, and intensity that this team has been lacking.
Roch - I've been reading that Bradford or Walker could be available. Can't see Walker being moved, but Bradford seems a good candidate with Cherry pitching solidly. Have you heard any whispers?
Posted by: Ray | March 21, 2008 1:31 PM
Why not have Steve Trachsel be the Opening Day starter? The O's do not have a true number one starter so why not use Trax as a sacrificial lamb and let Guthrie take his best licks against the number 2 starters in the league? I like him in those match-ups and his solid outings won't be wasted against the Josh Becketts, Erik Bedards of the league.
Posted by: Heath | March 21, 2008 1:44 PM
I think that being slighted by C.B. Bucknor is an Orioles rite of passage. Welcome to the team, Scott Moore!
Meanwhile, someone needs to sneak into Bucknor's home, confiscate his incriminating photos of Bud Selig and a large, flightless bird, and end this long-standing blackmail operation once and for all.
Posted by: Dylan | March 21, 2008 1:50 PM
CB Bucknor is by the far the worst ump in baseball
Posted by: Tyler | March 21, 2008 1:52 PM
i agree, heath.
Posted by: brian f | March 21, 2008 1:54 PM
Yeah , Ponson really looks like he has a good workout routine...
Posted by: Brian | March 21, 2008 2:01 PM
Spats, I don't think you can compare Moore to Fahey and Hernandez because they play different positions. Fahey and Hernandez are middle infielders. Moore plays third and first. It's my understanding he's taken a few ground balls at second during infield drills but I don't think that qualifies him as a middle infielder.
As for Rocky Cherry, I don't think it's wise to count on him being a capable replacement for Bradford. Let Cherry prove himself as a big leaguer first instead of assuming he's ready after eight scoreless innings (some of them shaky) in spring training. Cherry has still walked too many guys for my liking, and he does have options left. Even if he begins the year in Norfolk, I'm sure he'll be back.
Looks like Roberson is going to give Redman a battle for that reserve outfield spot. He has a hit, a walk, and an outfield assist so far today.
Posted by: Baron | March 21, 2008 2:12 PM